FORMER Boro striker Noel Whelan’s comeback for Darlington lasted only three minutes of last night’s 2-1 defeat to Northampton Town at The Arena.

The 35-year-old, who has been gradually building up his fitness since injuring his hamstring in his Darlington debut in October, came off the bench on 78 minutes as Quakers looked to save the game, but limped out of the action with what looked like a recurrence of hamstring trouble.

That and the result were the bad news for Quakers, but the performance was one of their better ones this season, and the new-look side certainly lifted the home fans.

There were hopes of just a fourth win of the campaign when Tadhg Purcell put them ahead on 29 minutes, but the Cobblers rallied in the second half to win it with goals from Billy McKay and Ryan Gilligan, on 55 and 70 minutes respectively.

Darlington had strong penalty claims waved aside when Teessider Gareth Waite, making his home debut, appeared to be pulled down, then saw his shot blocked by a defender’s arm.

And Northampton keeper Chris Dunn made spectacular saves to keep out shots from Jeff Smith and Purcell as Quakers poured forward late in the game.

“We had no luck,” said manager Steve Staunton. “Whelan appears to have done his hamstring again.

“If we play like that and get the breaks we can beat any team in this division. The players and the fans have to keep believing. With the new players, we have bonded quickly, and we look stronger, more competitive and more composed than we did three months ago.

“I got irate during the game because I felt that everything was going against us. We didn’t get fair decisions.”

It was easy to sympathise with Staunton, because on another day they might have won with something to spare.

Dunn had not conceded a goal since early December and was homing in on a club record. He needed the help of a post to keep out Simon Madden’s early drive, but was beaten by Purcell from Jeff Smith’s inswinging cross. Purcell fired narrowly over shortly after his goal, and the keeper was a busy man in the second half.

Seventeen-year-old striker Curtis Main fired too close to him after being sent clear by Mor Diop, before Northampton rallied.

New Quakers keeper Shane Redmond looked solid, and the side will be looking to keep their improvement going - and get the rub of the green - at Cheltenham on Saturday.

NOTTS County celebrated news of their financial security with a 3-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge to move into the Coca-Cola League Two play-off places. County announced they have found a new investor to cover all their debts.